The Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies clash Sunday in game 3 of an MLB series at Citizens Bank Park. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.
Minnesota Twins Betting Preview
The Twins look for a win after splitting their last 8 games. The Twins have a 4.5 game lead in the AL Central. The Twins pitching staff is 10th in ERA (3.95), 3rd in WHIP (1.20) and 1st in quality starts (59). The Twins offense is 18th in runs per game (4.38), 24th in batting average (.237) and 8th in homers (159). Carlos Correa leads the Twins with 95 hits and 54 RBI, while Donovan Solano and Max Kepler have combined for 146 hits and 71 RBI. Sonny Gray gets the ball, and he is 5-5 with a 3.18 ERA and 133 strikeouts this season. Gray is 0-1 with a 4.29 ERA and 20 strikeouts in his career against the Phillies.
Minnesota Twins Team Facts
- The Twins have lost each of their last 10 games as road underdogs against NL East opponents following a road win.
- The Twins have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine games as underdogs against NL East opponents.
- The Twins have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last four day games against opponents that held a winning record.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Twins’ last six day games against NL East opponents.
- The Twins have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last five day games against NL East opponents.
Philadelphia Phillies Betting Preview
The Phillies look for a win after winning 6 of their last 8 games. The Phillies currently hold the top wild card spot in the NL. The Phillies pitching staff is 9th in ERA (3.95), 8th in WHIP (1.23) and 7th in quality starts (52). The Phillies’ offense is 11th in runs per game (4.69), 8th in batting average (.257) and 16th in homers (137). Nick Castellanos leads the Phillies with 130 hits and 73 RBI, while Bryson Stott and Trea Turner have combined for 250 hits and 91 RBI. Ranger Suarez gets the ball, and he is 2-5 with a 3.96 ERA and 81 strikeouts this season. This will be Suarez’s first career game against the Twins.
Philadelphia Phillies Team Facts
- The Phillies have won each of their last 11 day games against American League opponents.
- The favorites have covered the run line in seven of the Phillies’ last eight games.
- The Phillies have led after 7 innings in each of their last five day games.
- The Phillies have led after 5 innings in each of their last four day games.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Phillies’ last four day games against AL Central opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Philadelphia Phillies are one of only 4 teams in the league to rank top 10 in both steals and batting average this season.
- The Philadelphia Phillies ranks T5th in the league for triples this season (21).
- The Minnesota Twins ranks 30th in the league for strikeouts against this season (1219).
- The Minnesota Twins ranks 1st in the league for strikeouts this season (1135).
Randy’s Pick
Sonny Gray has been fabulous this season, and he’s a pitcher I’m looking to back this season. However, Ranger Suarez has pitched in a similar ballpark this season with his 3.96 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. Suarez has allowed 3 earned runs in his last 12 innings. The Phillies are at home and have played the better ball overall these last couple of weeks. I’d need plus money to side with the Twins. Pick ’em price? I have to give the Phillies the edge.
